Integrated circuit testing using segmented scan chains

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit includes logic circuits including the first and second logic circuits, and a scan chain configured to test the logic circuits. The scan chain includes the first scan chain portion for testing the first logic circuit based on an input test pattern and output the first output test pattern, a switching unit for selecting and outputting one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern as a selected test pattern, and the second scan chain portion for testing the second logic circuit based on the selected test pattern from the switching unit and output the second output test pattern. The switching unit selects one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern based on at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the logic circuits.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/470,727 filed on May 22, 2009, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/701,008 filed on Nov. 3, 2003 and issued on May 26, 2009 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,539,915, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/438,645 filed on Jan. 7, 2003, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to testing integrated circuits. More particularly, the disclosure relates to scan testing of integrated circuits.

Modern integrated circuits generally comprise a large number of circuit elements. It is desirable to test these circuit elements in order to ensure the proper operation of the integrated circuit. However, the number of test points (that is, locations where signals can be measured) is limited by the number of terminals of the integrated circuit, which is far less than the number of circuit elements to be tested.

Consequently, designers of modern integrated circuits often employ a test technique referred to herein as “scan testing.” FIG. 1 shows a conventional integrated circuit 100 designed to permit scan testing of logic circuits 102. According to this technique, integrated circuit 100 includes a scan chain 104 comprising a number of storage elements such as scan flip-flops (SFF) 106A through 106N that can be loaded with a test vector. The test vector is a binary number that includes bits to be loaded into SFFs 106.

Each SFF 106 has two inputs A, B and an output Q, and selects one of the inputs A, B based on a scan shift signal applied to a scan input S. Each A input is connected to logic circuits 102. Each B input is connected to the output Q of a previous SFF 106 in the scan chain 104, except for the input B of the first SFF 106 in the scan chain 104, which is connected to a scan input node, such as a scan input terminal of integrated circuit 100, that can receive a scan input signal such as a test vector. The Q output of each SFF 106 in scan chain 104 is connected both to logic circuits 102 and to the next SFF 106 in scan chain 104, except for the output Q of the last SFF 106 in scan chain 104, which is connected both to logic circuits 102 and to a scan output node, such as a scan output terminal of integrated circuit 100, to provide a scan output signal.

When the scan shift signal is negated (for example, during normal operations), each SFF 106 in scan chain 104 gates signals to and from logic circuits 102 in response to a clock signal applied to a clock input of each SFF 106. However, when the scan shift signal is asserted (for example, during scan testing), each SFF 106 gates signals from the previous SFF 106 in the scan chain 104 to the next SFF 106 in the scan chain 104 in response to the clock signal, thereby causing the SFFs 106 to interconnect serially, forming scan chain 104.

During scan test, the scan shift signal is asserted, thereby forming the scan chain 104. Then the test vector (also referred to as “scan data”) is shifted into scan chain 104 as the scan input signal through the first SFF 106A in scan chain 104 in response to the clock signal. The scan shift signal is then negated, breaking scan chain 104 and restoring normal operational connections to SFF 106. The clock signal is then toggled one or more times to simulate normal operation of the integrated circuit 100. The scan shift signal is then asserted again, forming scan chain 104 again. Then the data in the SFFs 106 are shifted out of the scan chain as the scan output signal through the last SFF 106N in the scan chain in response to the clock signal. The scan output signal is then compared to a predetermined result vector to obtain a test result.

However, as the number of logic circuits in modern integrated circuits has grown, so has the number of storage elements required to test these logic circuits. The number of scan chains is limited by the number of terminals of the integrated circuit. Therefore, the length of each scan chain (that is, the number of storage elements in a scan chain) has increased. In general, the test time is defined by the length of the scan chains because most of the test cycles are consumed by shifting scan data into, and out of, the scan chains. Thus modern integrated circuits require increasingly greater test times.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features an integrated circuit comprising a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements to interconnect in series according to a signal applied to a scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with a scan input node of the integrated circuit, and an output; a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements to interconnect in series according to the signal applied to the scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, and an output; and a switch comprising a first input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, a second input in communication with the output of the second scan chain portion, and a switch output in communication with a scan output node of the integrated circuit, wherein the switch is to place one of the first and second inputs in communication with the switch output according to a signal applied to a scan mode node of the integrated circuit.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits; wherein the first circuits are in communication with further inputs of the first storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with further inputs of the second storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs. Each of the first and second storage elements comprises a flip-flop. The first scan chain portion is further to receive a test vector when the first storage elements are interconnected in series. The first scan chain portion is further to transmit a results vector when the first storage elements are interconnected in series.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and computer program for testing an integrated circuit comprising a scan chain having a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements followed by a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements. It comprises interconnecting the first storage elements in series; inserting a test vector into the first scan chain portion; disconnecting the first storage elements from each other; applying a clock signal to respective clock inputs of the first storage elements; interconnecting the first storage elements in series; bypassing the second scan chain portion; and extracting a results vector from the first scan chain portion.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits, wherein the first circuits are in communication with inputs of the first storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with inputs of the second storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features an integrated circuit comprising a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements to interconnect in series according to a signal applied to a scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with a scan input node of the integrated circuit, and an output; a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements to interconnect in series according to the signal applied to the scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, and an output in communication with a scan output node of the integrated circuit; and a switch comprising a first input in communication with the scan input node of the integrated circuit, a second input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, and a switch output in communication with the input of the second scan chain portion, wherein the switch is to place one of the first and second inputs in communication with the switch output according to a signal applied to a scan mode node of the integrated circuit.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits; wherein the first circuits are in communication with further inputs of the second storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with further inputs of the first storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs. Each of the first and second storage elements comprises a flip-flop. The first scan chain portion is further to receive a test vector when the first storage elements are interconnected in series. The first scan chain portion is further to transmit a results vector when the first storage elements are interconnected in series.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and computer program for testing an integrated circuit comprising a scan chain having a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements followed by a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements. It comprises interconnecting the second storage elements in series; disconnecting the first and second scan chain portions from each other; and inserting a test vector into the second scan chain portion; disconnecting the second storage elements from each other; applying a clock signal to respective clock inputs of the second storage elements; interconnecting the second storage elements in series; and extracting a results vector from the second scan chain portion.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits, wherein the first circuits are in communication with inputs of the first storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with inputs of the second storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features an integrated circuit comprising a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements to interconnect in series according to a signal applied to a scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with a scan input node of the integrated circuit, and an output; a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements to interconnect in series according to the signal applied to the scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, and an output; a third scan chain portion comprising a plurality of third storage elements to interconnect in series according to the signal applied to the scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with the output of the second scan chain portion, and an output; and a first switch comprising a first input in communication with the scan input node of the integrated circuit, a second input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, and a switch output in communication with the input of the second scan chain portion, wherein the first switch is to place one of the first and second inputs of the first switch in communication with the switch output of the first switch according to a signal applied to a scan mode node of the integrated circuit; a second switch comprising a first input in communication with the output of the second scan chain portion, a second input in communication with the output of the third scan chain portion, and a switch output in communication with a scan output node of the integrated circuit; wherein the second switch is to place one of the first and second inputs of the second switch in communication with the switch output of the second switch according to the signal applied to the scan mode node of the integrated circuit.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits; wherein the first circuits are in communication with further inputs of the second storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with further inputs of the first or third storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs. Each of the first, second, and third storage elements comprises a flip-flop. The second scan chain portion is further to receive a test vector when the second storage elements are interconnected in series. The second scan chain portion is further to transmit a results vector when the second storage elements are interconnected in series.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and computer program for testing an integrated circuit comprising a scan chain having a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements followed by a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements followed by a third scan chain portion comprising a plurality of third storage elements. It comprises interconnecting the second storage elements in series; disconnecting the first and second scan chain portions from each other; inserting a test vector into the second scan chain portion; disconnecting the second storage elements from each other; applying a clock signal to respective clock inputs of the second storage elements; interconnecting the second storage elements in series; bypassing the third scan chain portion; and extracting a results vector from the second scan chain portion.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits wherein the first circuits are in communication with inputs of the first storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with inputs of the second storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features an integrated circuit comprising a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements to interconnect in series according to a signal applied to a scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with a scan input node of the integrated circuit, and an output; a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements to interconnect in series according to the signal applied to the scan shift node of the integrated circuit, an input in communication with the scan input node of the integrated circuit, and an output; and a switch comprising a first input in communication with the output of the first scan chain portion, a second input in communication with the output of the second scan chain portion, and a switch output in communication with a scan output node of the integrated circuit, wherein the switch is to place one of the first and second inputs in communication with the switch output according to a signal applied to a scan mode node of the integrated circuit.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits; wherein the first circuits are in communication with further inputs of the first storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with further inputs of the second storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs. Each of the first and second storage elements comprises a flip-flop. The first scan chain portion is further to receive a test vector when the first storage elements are interconnected in series. The first scan chain portion is further to transmit a results vector when the first storage elements are interconnected in series.

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and computer program for testing an integrated circuit comprising a scan chain having a first scan chain portion comprising a plurality of first storage elements and a second scan chain portion comprising a plurality of second storage elements, wherein the inputs of the first and second scan chain portions are in communication with a scan input node of the integrated circuit. It comprises interconnecting the first storage elements in series; inserting a test vector into the first scan chain portion; disconnecting the first storage elements from each other; applying a clock signal to respective clock inputs of the first storage elements; interconnecting the first storage elements in series; connecting the first scan chain portion to a scan output node of the integrated circuit; and extracting a results vector from the first scan chain portion.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of circuits comprising first circuits and second circuits wherein the first circuits are in communication with inputs of the first storage elements; and wherein the second circuits are in communication with inputs of the second storage elements. The first circuits have a high complexity; and wherein the second circuits have a low complexity. The first circuits have a greater number than the second circuits of at least one of the group consisting of logic depth; gates; gate inputs; and gate outputs.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional integrated circuit designed to permit scan testing of logic circuits;

FIG. 2 shows an integrated circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for the integrated circuit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an integrated circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for the integrated circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an integrated circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for the integrated circuit of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows an integrated circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for the integrated circuit of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The inventor has recognized that most of the logic circuits requiring test in a typical integrated circuit are of low complexity, and therefore require few test patterns, while only a few of the logic circuits requiring test are of high complexity. However, the circuits of high complexity require many test patterns. When a single scan chain comprises circuits of high and low complexity, the entire scan chain must be tested with all of the test patterns.

Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure comprise scan chains that are segmented in different ways so that one can test a portion of the scan chain. In some embodiments, the scan chains are segmented according to the complexity of the logic circuits tested by the scan chains, so that one portion of the scan chain tests logic circuits of high complexity, while another portion tests circuits of low complexity. In some embodiments, the portion of the scan chain that tests logic circuits of high complexity can be tested independently. In general, this portion is only a small fraction of the entire scan chain, so that far fewer test cycles are required to shift scan data into, and out of, the tested portion.

Preferably the complexity of a logic circuit is defined by its logic depth, which can be characterized for a given flip-flop in a scan chain by the maximum number of gates a signal can traverse through the logic circuit between the given flip-flop and another flip-flop in the scan chain. Of course, the complexity of a logic circuit can be defined by other measures, such as by the number of gates in the logic circuit, the number of gate inputs and/or outputs in the logic circuit, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows an integrated circuit 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. Integrated circuit 200 comprises logic circuits 102 and a scan chain 204 comprising a first portion 204A, a second portion 204B, and a switch such as multiplexer 208. The logic circuits 102 may include a first logic circuit 102A and a second logic circuit 102B. First scan chain portion 204A comprises L storage elements such as scan flip-flops (SFF) 106AA through 106AL. Second scan chain portion 204B comprises M storage elements such as SFF 106BA through 106BM.

Multiplexer 208 operates under the control of a scan mode select signal to isolate first scan chain portion 204A by connecting the output of first scan chain portion 204A (that is, the output Q of the last SFF 106AL in first scan chain portion 204A) to the scan output node of scan chain 204.

In a preferred embodiment, the first scan chain portion 204A is connected to the first logic circuit 102A of high complexity so that the test patterns for those circuits need not be shifted through the entire scan chain 204. In addition, the test patterns can be shorter, as they only need be as long as the scan chain portion being tested. For example, suppose that 20% of logic circuits 102 contain 80% of the complexity of logic circuits 102, and that 80% of the test patterns are devoted to testing 20% of logic circuits 102. According to this embodiment, those 80% of the test patterns now need be shifted through only 20% of scan chain 204, resulting in substantial savings in test time. In the 80/20 example, test time can be reduced by 64%. In a 90/10 example, test time can be reduced by 74%.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process 300 for integrated circuit 200. Process 300 can be implemented, for example, as software executing on a tester in communication with integrated circuit 200. Process 300 forms scan chain 204 (step 302) by asserting the scan shift signal to interconnect the SFFs 106 of the first and second scan chain portions in series. Process 300 then inserts a test vector into the first scan chain portion 204A (step 304) by applying the test vector as the scan input signal to the input B of the first SFF 106AA in scan chain 204 and toggling the clock signal L times. Process 300 then breaks the scan chain (step 306) by negating the scan shift signal to disconnect the first and second SFFs 106 from each other.

Process 300 then cycles integrated circuit 200 (step 308) by toggling the clock signal one or more times. Process 300 then forms scan chain 204 again (step 310) and bypasses the second scan chain portion 204B (step 312) by asserting the scan mode select signal, which causes multiplexer 208 to connect the output Q of the last SFF 106AL of the first scan chain portion 204A to the scan output node. Process 300 then extracts a results vector (the data stored in SFFs 106AA through 106AL) from the first scan chain portion 204A (step 314). Because the scan data need not be shifted through the second scan chain portion 204B, significant test time is saved.

Process 300 can control the contents of second scan chain portion 204B according to any number of schemes. For example, process 300 can shift a test vector through first scan chain portion 204A into second scan chain portion 204B, reset the flip-flops 106B in second scan chain portion 204B to a known value, or simply leave the contents of second scan chain portion 204B as they are.

FIG. 4 shows an integrated circuit 400 according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. Integrated circuit 400 comprises logic circuits 102′ and a scan chain 404 comprising a first portion 404A, a second portion 404B, and a switch such as multiplexer 408. The logic circuits 102′ may include a first logic circuit 102A′ and a second logic circuit 102B′. First scan chain portion 404A comprises L storage elements such as scan flip-flops (SFF) 106AA through 106AL. Second scan chain portion 404B comprises M storage elements such as SFF 106BA through 106BM.

Multiplexer 408 operates under the control of a scan mode select signal to isolate second scan chain portion 404B by connecting the input of second scan chain portion 404B (that is, the B input of the first SFF 106BA in second scan chain portion 404B) to the input of scan chain 404 (that is, the B input of the first SFF 106AA in scan chain 404).

In a preferred embodiment, the second scan chain portion 404B is connected to the second logic circuit 102B′ of high complexity so that the test patterns for those circuits need not be shifted through the entire scan chain 404.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process 500 for integrated circuit 400. Process 500 can be implemented, for example, as software executing on a tester in communication with integrated circuit 400. Process 500 forms scan chain 404 (step 502) by interconnecting the SFFs 106 of the first and second scan chain portions 404 in series to form scan chain 404, preferably by asserting the scan shift signal. Process 500 disconnects the first and second scan chain portions 404 from each other (step 504) by asserting the scan mode select signal, which causes multiplexer 408 to connect the B input of the first SFF 106BA of the second scan chain portion 404B to the scan input node.

Process 500 inserts a test vector into the second scan chain portion 404B (step 506) by applying the test vector as the scan input signal and toggling the clock signal L times, which shifts the test vector through multiplexer 408 and into the input B of SFF 106BA. Process 500 then breaks the scan chain (step 508) by disconnecting the first and second SFFs 106 from each other, preferably by negating the scan shift signal.

Process 500 cycles integrated circuit 400 (step 510) by toggling the clock signal one or more times. Process 500 then forms scan chain 404 again (step 512).

Process 500 then extracts a results vector (the data stored in SFFs 106BA through 106BM) from the second scan chain portion 404B (step 514). Because the scan data need not be shifted through the first scan chain portion 404A, significant test time is saved.

Process 500 can control the contents of first scan chain portion 404A according to any number of schemes. For example, process 500 can shift a test vector into first scan chain portion 404A, reset the flip-flops 106A in first scan chain portion 404A to a known value, or simply leave the contents of first scan chain portion 404A as they are.

FIG. 6 shows an integrated circuit 600 according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. Integrated circuit 600 comprises logic circuits 102″ and a scan chain 604 comprising a first portion 604A, a second portion 604B, a third portion 604C, and two switches such as multiplexers 608A and 608B. The logic circuits 102″ may include a first logic circuit 102A″, a second logic circuit 102B″ and the third logic circuit 103″. First scan chain portion 604A comprises L storage elements such as scan flip-flops (SFF) 106AA through 106AL. Second scan chain portion 604B comprises M storage elements such as SFF 106BA through 106BM. Third scan chain portion 604C comprises N storage elements such as SFF 106CA through 106CN.

Multiplexers 608A and 608B operate under the control of a scan mode select signal to isolate second scan chain portion 604B. When the scan mode select signal is asserted, multiplexer 608A connects the input of second scan chain portion 604B (that is, the B input of the first SFF 106BA in second scan chain portion 604B) to the scan input node of scan chain 604 (that is, the B input of the first SFF 106AA in scan chain 604), and multiplexer 608B connects the output of second scan chain portion 604B (that is, the output Q of the last SFF 106BM in second scan chain portion 604B) to the scan output node of scan chain 604 (that is, the output Q of the last SFF 106CN in scan chain 604). Of course, multiplexers 608 can be operated independently to isolate different parts of scan chain 604.

In a preferred embodiment, the second scan chain portion 604B is connected to the second logic circuit 102B″ of high complexity so that the test patterns for those circuits need not be shifted through the entire scan chain 604.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process 700 for integrated circuit 600. Process 700 can be implemented, for example, as software executing on a tester in communication with integrated circuit 600. Process 700 forms scan chain 604 (step 702) by asserting the scan shift signal to interconnect the SFFs 106 of the first, second and third scan chain portions in series to form scan chain 604. Process 700 disconnects the first and second scan chain portions from each other (step 704) by asserting the scan mode select signal, which causes multiplexer 608A to connect the B input of the first SFF 106BA of the second scan chain portion 604B to the scan input node.

Process 700 then inserts a test vector into the second scan chain portion 604B (step 706) by applying the test vector as the scan input signal and toggling the clock signal L times, which shifts the test vector through multiplexer 608A and into the input B of SFF 106BA. Process 700 then breaks the scan chain (step 708) by negating the scan shift signal to disconnect the first, second and third SFFs 106 from each other.

Process 700 cycles integrated circuit 600 (step 710) by toggling the clock signal one or more times. Process 700 then forms scan chain 604 again (step 712) and bypasses the third scan chain portion 604C (step 714) by asserting the scan mode select signal, which causes multiplexer 608 to connect the output Q of the last SFF 106BM of the second scan chain portion 604B to the scan output node.

Process 700 then extracts a results vector (the data stored in SFFs 106BA through 106BM) from the second scan chain portion 604B (step 716). Because the scan data need not be shifted through the first scan chain portion 604A or the third scan chain portion 604C, significant test time is saved.

Process 700 can control the contents of first and third scan chain portions 604A and 604C according to any number of schemes. For example, process 700 can shift a test vector through scan chain 604 into first and third scan chain portions 604A and 604C, reset the flip-flops 106A and 106C in first and third scan chain portions 604A and 604C to a known value, or simply leave the contents of first and third scan chain portions 604A and 604C as they are.

FIG. 8 shows an integrated circuit 800 according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. Integrated circuit 800 comprises logic circuits 102 and a parallel scan chain 804 comprising a first portion 804A, a second portion 804B, and a switch such as multiplexer 808. First scan chain portion 804A comprises L storage elements such as scan flip-flops (SFF) 106AA through 106AL. Second scan chain portion 804B comprises M storage elements such as SFF 106BA through 106BM.

Scan chain portions 804A and 804B are connected in parallel to a single scan input node. Multiplexer 808 operates under the control of a scan mode select signal to select one of the scan chain portions by connecting either the output of first scan chain portion 804A (that is, the output Q of the last SFF 106AL in first scan chain portion 804A) or the output of second scan chain portion 804B (that is, the output Q of the last SFF 106BM in second scan chain portion 804B) to the scan output node of scan chain 804.

In a preferred embodiment, only one of the scan chain portions is connected to the logic circuits 102 of high complexity so that the test patterns for those circuits need not be shifted through both scan chain portions.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process 900 for integrated circuit 800. Process 900 can be implemented, for example, as software executing on a tester in communication with integrated circuit 800. Process 900 forms scan chain 804 (step 902) by asserting the scan shift signal to interconnect the SFFs 106 of the first and second scan chain portions 804 in series. However, in this embodiment, the scan chain portions are connected in parallel, rather than in series as with the above embodiments. Process 900 then inserts a test vector into the first scan chain portion 804A (step 904) by applying the test vector as the scan input signal to the scan input node of scan chain 804 and toggling the clock signal L times. Process 900 then breaks the scan chain (step 906) by negating the scan shift signal to disconnect the first and second SFFs 106 from each other.

Process 900 then cycles integrated circuit 800 (step 908) by toggling the clock signal one or more times. Process 900 then forms scan chain 804 again (step 910) and connects the first scan chain portion 804A to the scan output node (step 912) by asserting the scan mode select signal, which causes multiplexer 808 to connect the output Q of the last SFF 106AL of the first scan chain portion 804A to the scan output node. Process 900 then extracts a results vector (the data stored in SFFs 106AA through 106AL) from the first scan chain portion 804A (step 914). Because the scan data need not be shifted through the second scan chain portion 804B, significant test time is saved.

Process 900 can control the contents of second scan chain portion 804B according to any number of schemes. For example, process 900 can shift the same test vector into both first scan chain portion 804A into second scan chain portion 804B, reset the flip-flops 106B in second scan chain portion 804B to a known value, or simply leave the contents of second scan chain portion 804B as they are, for example by adding an additional multiplexer at the inputs to scan chain portions 804A and 804B.

The techniques presented above can be used to segment a scan chain into any number of portions, and to isolate any lesser number of those portions. The portions can be assigned to circuitry based on metrics other than complexity.

The disclosure can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus of the disclosure can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of the disclosure can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the disclosure by operating on input data and generating output. The disclosure can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications, or modifications of the disclosure. 

1. An integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of logic circuits comprising at least a first logic circuit and a second logic circuit; and a scan chain configured to test the plurality of logic circuits, the scan chain comprising: a first scan chain portion configured to test the first logic circuit based on an input test pattern applied thereto and output a first output test pattern; a switching unit configured to select and output one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern as a selected test pattern; and a second scan chain portion configured to test the second logic circuit based on the selected test pattern from the switching unit and output a second output test pattern, wherein the switching unit selects one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern based on at least one of differences between the first logic circuit and the second logic circuit in a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs.
 2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the input test pattern is selected by the switching unit when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the first logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the first logic circuit is not tested when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the first logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the scan chain further comprises: a scan input node in communication with the first scan chain portion and providing the input test pattern thereto; a scan output node in communication with the second scan chain portion and receiving the second output test pattern therefrom; a scan shift node in communication with the first and second scan chain portions and providing a scan shift signal thereto for shifting the input test pattern and the selected test pattern through the first and second chain scan portions, respectively; and a scan mode select node providing a scan mode select signal to the switching unit to select one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern.
 5. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein the first scan chain portion comprises: a first scan chain input node in communication with the scan input node to receive the input test pattern therefrom; a first scan chain output node in communication with the switching unit to provide the first output test pattern thereto; and a plurality of first storage elements arranged in series between the first scan chain input node and the first scan chain output node and configured to shift the input test pattern therethrough responsive to the scan shift signal.
 6. The integrated circuit of claim 5, wherein the second scan chain portion comprises: a second scan chain input node in communication with the switching unit to receive the selected test pattern therefrom; a second scan chain output node in communication with the scan output node; and a plurality of second storage elements arranged in series between the second scan chain input node and the second scan chain output node and configured to shift the selected test pattern therethrough based on the scan shift signal.
 7. The integrated circuit of claim 6, wherein the switching unit comprises: a first input node in communication with the scan input node to receive the input test pattern therefrom; a second input node in communication with the first scan chain output node to receive the first output test pattern therefrom; a scan mode select input node in communication with the scan mode select node to receive the scan mode signal therefrom; and an output node in communication with the second scan chain input node to output the selected test pattern thereto.
 8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the switching unit is a first switching unit and the selected test pattern is a first selected test pattern, and the plurality of logic circuits further comprises a third logic circuit, and wherein the scan chain further comprises: a third scan chain portion configured to test the third logic circuit based on the second output test pattern from the second scan chain portion and output a third output test pattern; and a second switching unit configured to select and output one of the second output test pattern and the third output test pattern as a second selected test pattern.
 9. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the second switching unit selects of one of the second output test pattern and the third output test pattern based on at least one of differences between the second logic circuit and the third logic circuit in a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs.
 10. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the second output test pattern is selected by the second switching unit when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the third logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 11. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the third logic circuit is not tested when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the third logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 12. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the scan chain further comprises: a scan input node in communication with the first scan chain portion and providing the input test pattern thereto; a scan output node in communication with the second switching unit and receiving the second selected test pattern; a scan shift node in communication with the first, second and third scan chain portions and providing a scan shift signal thereto for shifting the input test pattern, the selected first test pattern and the second output test pattern through the first, second and third chain portions, respectively; and a scan mode select node providing a scan mode select signal to the first switching unit for selecting one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern and to the second switching unit for selecting one of the second output test pattern and the third output test pattern.
 13. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the third scan chain portion comprises: a scan chain input node in communication with the second scan chain portion to receive the second output test pattern therefrom; a scan chain output node in communication with the second switching unit; and a plurality of storage elements arranged in series between the scan chain input node and the second chain output node and configured to shift the second output test pattern therethrough based on the scan shift signal.
 14. A method of testing a plurality of logic circuits comprising at least a first logic circuit and a second logic circuit using a scan chain, the method comprising: providing an input test pattern to the scan chain, the scan chain comprising a first scan chain portion configured to test the first logic circuit based on the input test pattern and output a first output test pattern; selecting one of the input test pattern and the first output test pattern as a selected test pattern depending on at least one of differences between the first logic circuit and the second logic circuit in a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs; and providing the selected test pattern to a second scan chain portion of the scan chain, the second scan chain portion configured to test the second logic circuit based on the selected test pattern and output a second output test pattern.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the input test pattern is selected as the selected test pattern when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the first logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first logic circuit is not tested when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the first logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the selected test pattern is a first selected test pattern, and the plurality of logic circuits further comprises a third logic circuit, wherein the scan chain further comprises a third scan chain portion configured to test the third logic circuit based on the second output test pattern and output a third output test pattern, and wherein the method further comprises selecting one of the second output test pattern and the third output test pattern as a second selected test pattern depending on at least one of differences between the second logic circuit and the third logic circuit in a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second output test pattern is selected as the second selected test pattern when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the third logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the third logic circuit is not tested when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of the third logic circuit is less than that of the second logic circuit.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first and third logic circuits are not tested when at least one of a logic depth, a number of gates, a number of gate inputs and a number of gate outputs of each of the first and third logic circuits is less than that of the second logic circuit. 